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The 2022 Class of Leadership Academy fellows officially graduated at the Institute & Expo on Thursday, Feb. 9. Forty-five leaders completed the year-long program, along with eight supportive volunteer coaches.

On Feb. 10, US Senate Special Committee on Aging Chairman Bob Casey (DFL-PA) and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (DFL-OR) sent a multi-member letter to CMS regarding upcoming regulations to create a minimum staffing standard.

Continuing with its desire to strengthen its ability to examine nursing home ownership types, including private equity and real estate investment trusts, on Feb. 13, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released a proposed rule to gather such data.

On Feb. 10, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued Admin Info memoranda 23-06-NH revising guidance to Chapter 5 of the State Operations Manual (SOM).  The memo’s revisions include changes to the maximum timeframes for state survey agency (SA) investigations into complaints and facility-reported incidents, and the expansion of SA’s data entry requirements into the federal ASPEN Complaints/Incidents Tracking System (ACTS).

The 2023 Minnesota Department of Human Services Nursing Facility Performance-Based Incentive Payment Program (PIPP) Request for Proposals (RFP) information is now available.

An updated Uniform Disclosure of Assisted Living Services and Amenities (UDALSA) form is now available from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH).

A legislative proposal to create a statewide paid family leave program is moving rapidly through the Legislature this year with implications for employers and their employees.

LeadingAge Minnesota is more than an association. It’s a community built on a foundation of meaningful relationships and a common understanding of what it means to be an aging services professional. Our shared experiences help us know deeply the profound impact chronic underfunding of senior care services has on the well-being of professional caregivers, their families, and the people we serve.

Philip Fisher was chosen to receive this year’s Spirit of Aging Award for giving so much to others during his life.

Knute Nelson leaders Katie Perry and Angie Urman have taken on new positions within the organization’s senior leadership team.

Cindy Meyer, Licensed Practical Nurse and Team Leader at Benedictine Living Community in Crookston, was named the Caregiver of the Year by LeadingAge Minnesota at the organization’s annual Institute & Expo. 

New cohorts of  Mental Health First Aid training are starting March 7. Space is limited, so register now. The sessions are free for staff of LeadingAge Minnesota provider members through a partnership between LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation and Winona State University.

The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) is pleased to announce that the Administrators of the future Veterans Homes in Preston, Bemidji and Montevideo have been selected.

Gail Skoglund, Director of Adult Day Services at Cassia in Edina was honored by LeadingAge Minnesota with the Outstanding Leadership Award at the LeadingAge Minnesota Institute & Expo.

Joe Hanson, Nurse Manager at Walker Methodist Care Suites, in Edina was recently honored by LeadingAge Minnesota with the Rising Star Award. The award recognizes a person who stands out in their recent efforts to transform and enhance the experience of aging.

Leann Wright, Past President of Eventide Senior Living Communities in Moorhead, MN, was recently named Board Trustee of the Year by LeadingAge Minnesota.

Judy Rubertus, a volunteer with Boutwells Landing in Oak Park Heights, MN, has been named LeadingAge Minnesota’s Volunteer of the Year Award. The award recognizes individuals who volunteer in older adult services for their dedication, commitment, and positive impact on the lives of seniors and their communities. 

Each month, our national partner, LeadingAge, focuses on a new workforce topic to share tools, articles, and research to help providers take action in their workforce efforts. January’s focus was on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and living out our commitment to DEI in organizations.

On Dec. 29, 2022, President Biden signed the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) and the Providing Urgent Maternal Protections for Nursing Mothers Act (PUMP) into law.

We continue to grow as an association and want to usher a big welcome to those new communities and organizations returning to LeadingAge Minnesota in the past few months. Please give them all a warm welcome!

On Tuesday, LeadingAge released its “Get Real on Ratios” effort to advocate for a realistic federal minimum staffing requirement reflecting the reality of current staffing and funding crises.

On Jan. 31, HUD posted a preview version of its final rule implementing the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act (HOTMA), which Congress enacted in 2016. HOTMA was a bipartisan bill that sought to streamline aspects of HUD’s rental assistance programs, including by making changes to resident income calculations and reviews.

As more providers continue to look at applying for an Employee Retention Credit (ERC), LeadingAge, our national partner, has developed a Frequently Asked Questions document that covers issues around eligibility and applying for those funds. 

Each year, the state calculates the average salary of RNs, LPNs, CNAs, and TMAs in care centers using the data from the annual cost reports. Then the state computes the statutory caps on the amount Supplemental Nursing Services Agencies (SNSAs) can charge per hour for each type of staff. The new caps, effective Jan. 1, show significant increases due to staffing cost increases during the pandemic. 

This week, the House Human Services Finance Committee heard HF 733, a bill that would facilitate raising wages for professional caregivers in aging services. This important legislation is the top priority of our 2023 legislative agenda, and LeadingAge Minnesota was thrilled to work with bill sponsor Rep. Heather Edelson (DFL-Edina) to produce a strong hearing.

On Monday, President Biden announced he will end the public health emergency (PHE) on May 11. This announcement was not a surprise given the shift towards our new “normal” the pandemic has created for everyone. 

Superior Health Quality Alliance is offering a free nine-part emergency preparedness series on Thursdays from noon to 1 p.m.

Learn best practices for preparing for your next survey at the 2023 Institute & Expo. In addition to the survey-focused sessions below, many of the 21 state agency update sessions include survey findings, areas for improvement, and preparation resources. 

Would you value being in a supportive cohort of Assisted Living Directors, Licensed Nursing Home Administrators, Nurse Leaders, and Medical Directors from across the state to explore challenging issues? If you're open to a candid discussion of your knowledge, questions, and experiences working with older adults, read on!

The Veterans' Administration (VA) released new rates for CY 2023 that are effective for care delivered on and after Feb. 1. Nationally, adult day services (ADS) rates increased by 7%, then adjusted by the location's wage index. In about ten locations, VA medical centers (VAMC) asked the VA to freeze CY 2022 rates for CY 2023, and these requests were approved; most of the locations were in Northern California.